Our Residential Roof Inspection Process Reveals Problems Others May Miss
When it comes to residential roofs, a roof inspection is perhaps the most valuable preventative maintenance task to complete. Regular roof inspections help homeowners to stay updated on the condition of their roof, makes them aware of problems early on, and empowers them to take action to make affordable roof repairs that can extend the life of their roof.
At Skyline Contracting, our residential roof inspection process is thorough, and we often turn up issues that other contractors may overlook—or leave behind. So today, we’re sharing what we look for during an inspection, and sharing some common problems others often miss.
Damaged Shingles
At the most basic level, any residential roof inspection will focus on the shingles of your roof, as these form the first line of defense. Cracked, dented, broken, or crooked shingles are all indicators of roof damage and can leave your roof vulnerable to moisture penetration and other issues.
Nail Problems
However, shingles are just one component of the assembly of your roof. For example, our inspection process also involves taking a close look at nails, as various nail issues can leave your roof vulnerable.
Exposed nails are a common problem, generally stemming from poor installation quality. Nails should be carefully concealed and protected to ensure maximal moisture protection on your roof. In addition, we’ll look for signs of rust, as rusting nails can eventually give way and leave your roof exposed to the elements.
Rotting Decking
While shingles are likely the first part of your roof that you think of when it comes to an inspection, in many ways decking is more important. Decking forms the substrate that your roof is installed over. When roofs are compromised, moisture can penetrate the outer layer and cause rotting within the decking of your roof. Our inspection process will include evaluating your decking for signs of moisture or rot, as these often indicate a need for a roof replacement.
Ridge Caps
Our inspections pay close attention to critical areas of your roof beyond just the surface shingles. Ridge caps are specialized shingles that are installed along the ridges of your roof. They’re crucial as, without them, seams between slopes of your roof will be left exposed, creating an opportunity for rainwater to reach the underlying layers of the roofing system. We carefully inspect these areas and ensure no ridge caps are missing.
Roof Valleys
Similarly, roof valleys are areas where moisture will collect and flow off of your roof—making it especially critical that these areas are well designed for maximum water protection and flow. We evaluate the valleys of your roof during our inspection and ensure they are well designed and free of debris.
Ventilation
What many homeowners may not realize is the key role that roof vents play in the health of your roof. Vents prevent moisture from building up within your home and help to regulate temperature differences between your roof and the outside air. During a residential roof inspection, we ensure all vents are working properly, undamaged, and that the roof has the right amount of ventilation overall.
Poor Workmanship
While there are many high-quality Gainesville roofers, not all will put in the time and effort needed to complete roofing work the right way. Unfortunately, examples of poor workmanship are all too common during our inspections, and if left unaddressed, this can lead to roofing issues.
There are a few examples we frequently see, including the exposed nails mentioned above. Another example is toeboard holes. During a roof replacement, temporary boards (called “toeboards”) are nailed to the roof to prevent debris, tools, and other objects from sliding off the roof and falling to the ground. Before installation is completed, the holes created by these boards must be addressed—and unfortunately, some roofers simply forget or skip this step, leaving holes in the shingles.
In addition, we often see construction debris left in gutters. While most roofers will remove debris from your property, gutters are a common area where debris is left behind. This debris can create drainage issues as other debris such as leaves and dirt collect in gutters as well.
Schedule Your Residential Roof Inspection with Skyline Contracting
A thorough roof inspection goes a long way toward maintaining the performance of any residential roofing system. That’s why at Skyline Contracting, our team of expert roofing contractors undergoes a thorough inspection process to ensure even minor issues aren’t missed.
As the storm season approaches its end, now is an excellent time to schedule an inspection and ensure your roof survived the harsh summer weather. Reach out to our team today to book yours!
